Effect of tensile strength of lignocellulosic himalayan nettle fibers by chemical treatment

Abstract

The physical and chemical properties of Himalayan nettle fibers treated with sodium hydroxide and sodium chlorite solutions have been studied in this research. Nettle fibers are naturally derived, highstrength nettle yarn for the preparation of home textiles, handicrafts, and ropes. It is a high fiber-yielding plant that grows naturally in the Himalayan areas. In this study, nettle fiber samples were soaked in 4% sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and 1% sodium chlorite (NaClO2) solutions at a 100oC temperature for 90 minutes. The untreated nettle fibers were soaked in a 4% sodium hydroxide water solution at a 100oC for 60 minutes. The nettle fiber test samples were prepared and tested as stated in the ASTM standards. The average tensile strength of alkaline nettle fibers increases by upto 60% compared with untreated fiber. The mild alkali treatment increases tensile strength, cellulose content and decrease elongation break acts to be due to fiber extraction and separation of non-cellulosic materials such as hemicellulose, lignin, and pectin. Compared to untreated nettle fiber, the average young's modulus of sodium hydroxide-chlorite treated fiber was increased. Moisture sorption analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), single fiber tensile strength, and physical properties were used to evaluate the properties of untreated and treated nettle fibers.